President Xi Jinping will embark on a European tour starting Sunday, with his first stop in France, a key supporter of Ukraine, followed by visits to Serbia and Hungary, both of which maintain close relations with Russia. The trip underscores China’s intent to strengthen political and economic ties in Europe, amidst challenging relations with the United States. In France, Xi is set to receive a formal reception from French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions, however, are anticipated to be complex, focusing primarily on the conflict in Ukraine. Xi will also meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has called for China to play a more active role in resolving the Ukraine crisis. Analysts indicate that despite European hopes for China to align against Russia with sanctions, such actions by Beijing remain unlikely.
China maintains a stance of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict but has not criticized Russia’s actions, a position that has drawn scrutiny from the U.S., which argues that Russia relies heavily on China’s support. During his visit, Xi is also expected to address recent European Union probes into Chinese industries, which France asserts will feature prominently in discussions, particularly in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This visit marks Xi’s first to Europe since China ended its Covid-related isolation, and follows Macron’s trip to China in April 2023, where discussions similarly focused on geopolitical tensions, including the situation in Ukraine and broader Sino-American relations.
After France, Xi’s tour will continue in Serbia and Hungary from May 8-10, where he will engage with leaders who have shown a tendency to diverge from the broader EU stance on Russia. The visit to Belgrade will coincide with the anniversary of the 1999 US bombing of the Chinese embassy, a moment significant for anti-Western sentiment. In Hungary, Xi will meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has expressed opposition to the EU’s official stance on Russia and emphasized Hungary’s “Eastern opening” policy aimed at strengthening ties with China, Russia, and other Asian nations. The trip is poised to not only discuss trade and economic ties but also confront sensitive geopolitical issues, including China’s support for Russia and the ongoing investigations into Chinese trade practices by the European Union.
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